Valentine Ozigbo, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) flag-bearer in the 2021 Anambra governorship election, was a special guest of His Royal Highness, Igwe G.O Ezechukwu of Umuchu, as he hosted the community’s annual Ifejioku new yam festival.
The event, which was held at the Umuchu Civic Centre in Aguata Local Government Area on Saturday, September 4, 2021, was attended by high profile dignitaries, respected indigenes of Umuchu, friends, and well-wishers from different parts of the world.
While addressing mammoth crowd, Mr Ozigbo congratulated Igwe Ezechukwu on celebration and the people of Umuchu for a rich harvest.
“Ndị Umuchu, it is my pleasure to be here in your midst, to celebrate this year’s new yam festival with you,” Ozigbo, a respected business mogul, said.
“Today’s celebration is an opportunity to appreciate the dignity in labour. Months ago, we went to the fields to sow, and today, we are celebrating a bountiful harvest.
“The Ifejioku festival is an integral part of the Igbo culture and tradition because it speaks to the core of who were as Igbos.
“As a people, we are known to be diligent. An average Igbo man doesn’t toy with his farm and barn. It is a culture of diligent enterprise that we replicate in every field of endeavour.
“During my time at Transcorp Hilton, I introduced the annual new yam festival celebrations. So that, though we were far from our different local communities, we could still find time to come together and enjoy the things that mark our uniqueness as Igbo sons and daughters.
“I wish to especially appreciate Igwe Okwuluora and my dear friend, Prince Chike Ezechukwu, for giving me the privilege to share in this celebration.
“As we celebrate today, our prayer is that God will continue to bless the works of our hands and keep us in good health in mind and body,” Ozigbo prayed.
Several members of the Anambra PDP State Governorship Campaign Council joined Ozigbo at the event, including Hon Tim Egboka, the Deputy Director-General; Chief Tony Offiah, the Director of Finance Services of the Campaign Council; Ichie Sunday Ezeobiora, an agribusiness tycoon; Chief Ikechukwu Akaeze, a former PDP Chairman in Dunukofia LGA; Mr Afam Okpalauzuegbu; and a host of supporters.
Valentine Ozigbo is a multiple award-winning global CEO and one of the few Kaizen champions in the world. His charitable endeavour, the Valentine Chineto Ozigbo (VCO) Foundation, has positively touched the lives of hundreds of thousands of Anambra women and youths through various programmes including those that promote Igbo culture and traditions.
